How To Handle A Sucking Chest Wound
The cause of most, if not all, sucking wounds are penetrating chest injuries. The most obvious sign that someone has sustained a sucking chest wound is when there is evidence of an open wound and a sucking or hissing sound when they are breathing in and out. However, these may not always be present.
When faced with this emergency, contact emergency services immediately. In some cases, the emergency services phone operator may offer you some guidance but in cases where such services are unavailable, there are a number of things that one can do to improve the chances of survival of the victim.
The first step should always be ensure your own safety. If there are any falling objects ensure that you pull the victim from the area. Wash your hands and glove up. Inspect the site of injury and look for objects or pieces of clothing around the wound. These should be carefully removed. If you notice any object that is stuck in the injured area, do not remove it forcefully. Doing so is likely to worsen the initial injury.
Every attempt should be made to seal the openings that are provide a route for entry of air. In case of gunshot injuries, both the entry and exit wounds should be closed. This can be effectively achieved by use of adhesive tape. If such is unavailable any material that can create an air right seal can be used. The palm of the hand can be engaged as a last resort.
The complications resulting from this form of injury vary depending on the exact site injured. Deep injuries are likely to have the lungs involved and may lead to a potentially fatal complication known as tension pneumothorax. In this condition, air leaks from the lungs and builds up within the chest causing excess pressure on other organs such as the heart and major blood vessels.
Look out for an increasing level of respiratory distress. This is often manifested by rapid shallow breaths. There may be associated enforcement of neck pains and crackles under the skin. All these are highly suggestive of tension pneumothorax and mean that the seal should be opened so as to relieve the pressure. If the patient ceases to breath and their stops beating, there is a need to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation as you wait on the emergency response team.
Getting the patient to a hospital should be done expeditiously. Because of the strain associated with this kind of injury, oxygen therapy is vital. At the same time, a doctor will need to let out as much of the air that has already been sucked in as possible. This is done by placement of what is known as a chest drain. The drain remains in place for hours or days.
If you give the right stabilization measures and the patient makes it to hospital for there operation, there is a very high likelihood of survival. The most important thing to remember is that time is of great essence and a second lost may make the difference between survival and death. On average, one will be retained in the hospital for a period of seven to ten days. Resumption of regular routine takes between three and six months.
When faced with this emergency, contact emergency services immediately. In some cases, the emergency services phone operator may offer you some guidance but in cases where such services are unavailable, there are a number of things that one can do to improve the chances of survival of the victim.
The first step should always be ensure your own safety. If there are any falling objects ensure that you pull the victim from the area. Wash your hands and glove up. Inspect the site of injury and look for objects or pieces of clothing around the wound. These should be carefully removed. If you notice any object that is stuck in the injured area, do not remove it forcefully. Doing so is likely to worsen the initial injury.
Every attempt should be made to seal the openings that are provide a route for entry of air. In case of gunshot injuries, both the entry and exit wounds should be closed. This can be effectively achieved by use of adhesive tape. If such is unavailable any material that can create an air right seal can be used. The palm of the hand can be engaged as a last resort.
The complications resulting from this form of injury vary depending on the exact site injured. Deep injuries are likely to have the lungs involved and may lead to a potentially fatal complication known as tension pneumothorax. In this condition, air leaks from the lungs and builds up within the chest causing excess pressure on other organs such as the heart and major blood vessels.
Look out for an increasing level of respiratory distress. This is often manifested by rapid shallow breaths. There may be associated enforcement of neck pains and crackles under the skin. All these are highly suggestive of tension pneumothorax and mean that the seal should be opened so as to relieve the pressure. If the patient ceases to breath and their stops beating, there is a need to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation as you wait on the emergency response team.
Getting the patient to a hospital should be done expeditiously. Because of the strain associated with this kind of injury, oxygen therapy is vital. At the same time, a doctor will need to let out as much of the air that has already been sucked in as possible. This is done by placement of what is known as a chest drain. The drain remains in place for hours or days.
If you give the right stabilization measures and the patient makes it to hospital for there operation, there is a very high likelihood of survival. The most important thing to remember is that time is of great essence and a second lost may make the difference between survival and death. On average, one will be retained in the hospital for a period of seven to ten days. Resumption of regular routine takes between three and six months.
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